Maui wildfires updates: President Biden, first lady get firsthand look at damage
The fires burned thousands of homes and commercial buildings to the ground.
The deadly wildfires that erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Aug. 8 have become the deadliest natural disaster in state history, officials said.
The blazes spread rapidly due to very dry conditions stemming from a drought combined with powerful winds. Much of the historic town of Lahaina has been "destroyed," officials said, and the inferno has burned thousands of residential and commercial buildings to the ground.
Latest headlines:
Maui Strong: Charities to directly support wildfire relief efforts
On Thursday, "Good Morning America" and ABC News organized efforts to help viewers get involved in relief efforts for survivors of the Maui fires.
How to help:
-- Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
-- University of Hawai'i Foundation
-- Kokua Restaurant & Hospitality Fund for Maui
-ABC News’ Kelly McCarthy
What we know about the victims
Over 100 people have died from the devastating wildfires on Maui. Officials have warned that the death toll is expected to rise as they work to contain the active blazes and assess the damage.
Click here to read what we know about some of the victims.
111 confirmed dead; Fires chief warns residents to stay vigilant with fires still burning
At least 111 people have died since the wildfires broke out on Maui on Aug. 8, the Maui Police Department confirmed with a “heavy heart” on Wednesday night.
Three more individuals have been identified, bringing the total to nine. The families of five of the victims have been notified, but the families of four of the identified victims have not been located or notified.
“MPD and assisting partners have been working tirelessly to ensure that proper protocols are followed while notifying the families of the victims involved,” the police department shared in a post on the Maui County website Wednesday. “Our priority is to handle this situation with the utmost sensitivity and respect for those who are grieving.”
With fires still burning, at Wednesday afternoon’s news conference, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura and teams spread thin, he asked the public to “remain vigilant” if the winds pick up.
At the same news conference, Maui Mayor Richard Bisson shared an update on how community members are coming together to help each other.
"We've had 682 volunteers – community volunteers; not Red Cross, not FEMA, but our own citizens who have been working at War Memorial Gymnasium shelter,” he said.
– ABC News’ Marilyn Heck
Death toll increases to 110, 38% of impact zone searched: Governor
The death toll from the fires is now at 110, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.
The governor said more personnel and resources, including 10 extra cadaver dogs, have been deployed to the affected areas. Roughly 38% of the impact zone has been searched, he said.
Green said roughly 2,000 Maui Electric Company customers are still without power and cautioned that it could take a long time for restoration.
-ABC News' Jenna Harrison
Portable morgue units helping identify victims, FEMA says
Portable morgue units are helping identify victims of the wildfire and process their remains, FEMA officials told reporters Wednesday.
The first units arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday and consist of exam tables, X-ray units and lab equipment.
The death toll remains at 106 people, with 35% of the disaster zone searched, Maui County and state officials said in an update.
As of 11:30 a.m. local time Wednesday, 35 autopsies had been completed and seven victims identified -- up from five on Tuesday -- county officials said.
-ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Jennifer Watts
South Korea donates $2 million in aid to Hawaii
South Korea has donated $2 million to Hawaii in support of Maui fire relief, officials said.
The Hawaii Community Foundation said the donation will help support the short-, mid- and long-term recovery of Lahaina, including addressing medical needs and helping families displaced by the fires.
'Our beautiful island has been ravaged by fires'
Maui Chamber of Commerce President Pamela Tumpap detailed the level of devastation in a phone interview with ABC News Live.
"Our beautiful island has been ravaged by fires from the mountain to the ocean," Tumpap said.
Tumpap said some areas look like they have been "completely leveled."
"We've lost a lot of homes and we've lost a lot of business places and we've lost cultural and historic resources that were in the Chinatown that have burned to the ground," Tumpap said. "We are seeing fires unlike what we've ever seen before."
Tumpap cautioned travelers against coming to the island, saying it is "not going to be the Maui vacation that you planned" and visitors will have a hard time finding resources.